Staycations
Tourism Secretary Jimenez won’t like this but I’m an advocate of the benefits of “staycations” or vacations spent at home. Last week, while many used the long weekend to go on trips both in and out of the country, our family stayed home — and we loved it! So while I do believe that it is important, even nationalistic, for Filipinos to travel and see our beautiful country, I prefer doing it on my own time and not according to any travel or vacation season. So here are my top 10 reasons why staycations are great:
1. Staycations don’t cost money. Okay, for some this trumps anything else that I might say, so it’s a bit of a cheat to put it first. But it is true. Traveling during the peak season simply means that you will have to pay peak (read: outrageously high) prices. And why do you have to travel when everyone is traveling anyway? Just plan ahead and use your office leaves or whatever arrangement you have at work so you can enjoy going to places without the crowds. Unless you enjoy the crowds, which some people do.
2. Staycations force families to interact. It is ironic that so many families plan a big trip in order to bond and during the vacation — to Europe, Boracay, wherever — they are so busy following some tourist schedule or seeing the tourist sites that they hardly have time to talk to each other. Or they get so stressed during the trip that parents snap at kids, kids rebel at their parents, and no one is happy. And then they wonder why they spent so much money just to end up quarreling. Staying at home, where it’s relaxed and stress-free, becomes the perfect venue for catching up with the family. The four walls of your house, instead of being barriers, end up like encouraging arms pushing family members to face each other and interact.
3. Staycations actually let you rest. Again, when I travel, which I do regularly being the dean of the College of Law in Liceo University in Cagayan de Oro, I find it so odd to see families at the airport, apparently on vacation, all looking so tired and stressed-out. Usually there is one person, generally the mom, who looks particularly harassed — looking for the plane tickets, scolding kids who are fighting, etc. And with the terrible state of our airports, stressing out becomes a matter of course. I wonder, why didn’t they just stay home if what they really wanted to do is recharge? I’m guilty of this silliness myself — looking for other places to find rest and relaxation when my own home would’ve served that purpose perfectly. This isn’t to say that it isn’t good to go out of your home on an adventure. Of, course not, rather I want to emphasize that if your objective isn’t adventure or new experiences, maybe staying at home is a good alternative.
4. Staycations give you time to read. Ah, books; wonderful books... in our race to earn money to pay the mortgage, raise the kids, buy groceries, etc., we often forget to spend time reading. I’m terribly biased about this, perhaps because I’m in the academe, but I believe reading is the single best self-improvement activity there is. Good books can nourish not just our minds but our souls as well. And who is ever really able to finish a book during a hectic travel schedule? Maybe you’ll be able to read a few pages during airport stops but the airport isn’t exactly the most conducive reading area. You will definitely be able to read much more staying home.
5. Staycations allow you to enjoy the city while everyone is away. A smog-free Manila. Yes, during long vacations, when everyone heads for the provinces or Boracay, there are fewer people in the Metro. And less people means less cars, which means less pollution. And less traffic! Take it from someone who has a home in Fairview, Quezon City and whose office was in Ortigas, and before that Makati — getting from Fairview to Makati in 30 minutes instead of the usually two hours is a gift.
6. Staycations give you time to reflect and pray. Who has time to really pray anymore? For Muslims, the five daily prayers become especially difficult given our hectic schedules but even for Christians, my impression is that only a minority are able to find time in their day to reflect and pray. While I do believe in the Opus Dei philosophy that work itself can be sacramental and a form of prayer, nevertheless there is no substitute for finding a few moments to stop, take a breather, and turn to God. Hey, I’m not the holiest person and I don’t want to even pretend to give that impression but I do believe in the importance of taking time in one’s day to communicate with something greater than ourselves — I call it Allah, you might call it Jesus, God, or Yahweh. Whatever. But what is important is the acknowledgement of a power greater than ourselves — a source of strength, enlightenment, even guidance, to help us face the challenges of the human condition. So who prays when he’s traveling? Very few, but staying home allows us the time to pray and reflect. Of all the things you can do at home, this might just turn out to be the most significant.
7. Staycations allow you to do some spring cleaning. Okay, we don’t have spring in the Philippines but you get the idea, right? Cleaning house and getting rid of useless stuff and junk that we accumulate sometimes turns into a spiritual experience. We feel better, lighter, and more centered when we our environment is put in order, made clean, and whittled down to essential stuff. The great thing about staying home is that you get to see — really see — the state of your house, condo or apartment. Obviously, when traveling, the house doesn’t get the spring cleaning treatment. Sure you might ask your maids to clean your house but it is different when you also participate in the process. The house ends up cleaner and you feel better about yourself for being productive. And, if done right, your family can get involved too so that it becomes a bonding — even fun — experience.
8. Staycations let you lounge in your jammmies all day! Do I really have to explain the bliss of being slovenly once in a while? Now, you might go to Boracay and lounge around in your swimsuits but you still have to fix up a little bit since strangers abound. At the very least, you have to slap on some sun protection. But at home, you don’t have to do anything, save perhaps take a shower in deference to your spouse and kids. But otherwise you can lounge in your PJ’s and furry bunny slippers — if you have them — the whole day. Yehey!
9. Staycations give you time to work out. Most won’t bother, I know, but at least you have time for it. When you travel, say to Hong Kong, do you have any time for a trip to the gym? Nope. You’d rather run around shopping, right? You rationalize that it’s good exercise, walking and buying stuff, and that’s true. But your two meriendas and second, third, fourth servings of Peking duck more than make up for any calories that were previously lost. Staying home, particularly when there’s nothing good on cable, might just give you the inclination to do a home workout or go for a walk with the family. The latter is best because you profit from exercise while also getting the benefit of family bonding.
10. Staycations are environmentally-friendly. Staying at home means that you won’t use your SUV or coaster or automobile to travel. Less gas consumption equals a smaller carbon footprint. For which Mother Nature is grateful.
Finally, while I will still find time to bring my family to travel and to find adventures out of our home, nonetheless, of all the journeys that we can take, there is a lot of truth to the idea that the journey home is the best.
